The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-30
"rHE wITCH's CURSE"
First Impressions of Gilbert and Sullivan'e
Latest OPERATE Connection.

Latest operate Connection.
cable dispatch gives some interesting details
concerning the new Gilbert and Sullivan's op.
eretts, "Ruddygore, or the Witchs Curse"
Theater. The play deals with the results of
certain curse launched against a county family
by witch Of desperate wickedness and ability
in her special line of business An ancient Lord
of Ruddygore got himself into difficulties as toll
lows
"Once on the village green
A palsied hag he roasted;
And what took place, ySeen,
Shook mis- composure boasted.
For as the torture grim
Seized on each withered limb
The writing dame,
Mid fire and hame,
Yelled forth this curse on hinj
Zach Lord of Ruddygore.
Despite his best endeavor,
Shall do one crime more -
Once every day forever.
This doom he can't defy.
However he may try,
For should he stay
His hand that day
In torture he shall die.
1.-THE prophecy came true;
Each heir who held the title
Had every day to do
Some crime Of import vital;
Until with guilt o'erplied
i II sin more. he cried;
And on the day
He said that say
In agony he died"
Robin Oakapple. young man described 40
having the manners of q marquis and the morals
of Methodist, is the real Lord Ruddygore, but
has fed from the curse and is deeply in love with
Rose, the prize maid Of the village, who goes
about distributing sets of false teeth and other
trfes among the needy villagers. His brother,
Sir Jasper believing himself to represent the
Ruddygores and their family curse is OF q nat
urally tender and affectionate disposition, but
commits his daily crime with the fortitude OF
despair. He learns by accident one day that his
brother Is still alive in the person of Oakapple,
and is filled with ecstacy at the prospect of being
able to shift his life of atrocity to other shoul-
ers After relieving his feelings in a song and
dance he looks up his brother, whom he catches
on the way to the wedding with Rose Robin
and Rose are crushed at the news. and the cur
tain falls upon their wretchedness
The second act showed the family portrait
gallery of Ruddygore each panel containing
life size figure. Robin, now Sir Ruthven. the
representative Of the race, implores his snces-
tors to shield him from the effects of the family
curse. They refuse to listen to his appeal and
sterniy ask why he has failsd to commit some
deadly sin in the course Of the day. They
commend the abduction of maiden, and the
miserable Sir Ruthven instructs his servants to
provide a maiden for the purpose An ancient
spinster is introduced who draws dagger and
declares her intention OF defending her honor
with her life. One of the ancestors recognizes
the spinster as old sweetheart, and interposes
| upon her behalf. Sir Ruthven then shows by
argument la Gilbert that dread of the witcha
curse was the only terrible thing about it, and
| that, as all bis ancestors committed suicide
| under a misconception, they therefore not
| really dead; whereupon the ancestors flock out
| of their frames and wind up the piece with
| rousng chorus.
/ Sir Arthur Sullivan's music is said to lack or
| ieiuallty and not to equal the setting of the
| "Mik ado The first act was much relished by
the critics and professional people, but the Sec
| ond act dragged Among the droll scenes en-
! tirely in Glbert's best manner is one in which
| Robin deputies a friendly sailor named Dick to
| propose to Rose for him. Dick begins his proxy
/ pleading. but falls desperately in love with Rose
and promptly proposes to the girl himself AT
/ ter consulting book etiquette she consents
/ to be his wife. They sing rapturous duet,
/ making fervent love, when Robin enters
! Robin asks Dick how he succeeded, and he
answers that Rose has promised to bacome
| hts bride. Robin at once upbraids Rose
| She says she had idea that he
wanted to marry her, as she would have much
preferred wealthy man like him to an impov-
| erished mariner. of whose character she posi-
/ lively knows nothing whatever. Upon this the
honest Robin declares that much as he Ia
/ grieved, he feels that be is bound to vouch for
Dicks honesty Rose then makes the suggestion
that perhaps the sailor Drinks. Dick truthfuliy
| admits that rum is the bane Of his life but "a
| an offset TO his failing. shows how beautifully
| his arm is tattooed.
/ The stage-settng Of the piece is marvel of
| richness and ingenuity upon which Gilbert has
! lavished much time and money. The costumes
are magnificent and the procession Of ancestors
| notably effective.